A Gift of Flowers

Silence settled over the quiet room for a moment.

Chrysanthemum Douluo lifted his teacup for a sip, then gently set it back on the table. A keen light gathered once more in his pale gold eyes. His earlier leisurely interest in admiring flowers ebbed like the tide, replaced by the piercing scrutiny unique to a Titled Douluo.

"Well, we've had our tea and looked at the plants. Tell me, then-what exactly did you mean when you said you could let me obtain an immortal herb as well?"

You did not answer directly, merely taking a mutton-fat jade box from your Storage Soul Tool. The jade was lustrous, warm, and smooth, a soft halo floating over it in the dim yellow lamplight.

You pressed your fingertips against the edge of the lid and lifted it just a crack-

In an instant, fragrance filled the room.

It was not an overpowering, sumptuous perfume, but something cool and lingering, like a secluded orchid beneath the moon. Fine threads of it seeped into every inch of air, steeping even each breath in a faint, mellow sweetness.

As though answering some summons, the sensitive plant by the window trembled all over, its leaves slowly unfolding, a little plumper and more lustrous than before.

The teacup Chrysanthemum Douluo had just set down beside his fingers cracked with a sharp snap. Green tea trickled down the fracture, spreading a small dark stain across the table, yet he remained utterly unaware.

His pale gold eyes were fixed fast on the jade box. Something burned deep in his pupils, like a star falling into a dry well. An obsession that had lain dormant for years was suddenly kindled, and even his breathing grew lighter.

You applied a little more pressure and lifted the lid all the way, revealing-

A palm-sized flower lying quietly in the center of the jade box.

Its pure white petals overlapped in layers, a touch of rouge-red marking their centers and spreading in fine threads along their veins, like bloodstains congealed in snow. It had a stem but no leaves; its sturdy, ink-black stem bore a cluster of fine roots anchored firmly to a strange stone as black as ink.

The strange stone was rough all over, its inky color seeming to swallow the surrounding light, forming a stark contrast with the flower's vivid red.

The entire flower radiated a vast yet gentle vitality, rippling quietly outward like a living spring, steeping even the surrounding air in abundant life.

"This is..." Chrysanthemum Douluo's pupils abruptly contracted. His voice trembled slightly, his body froze in place, and even his breath stopped. "This is the Lovesick Heartbreak Red!"

He slowly rose, moving with extreme care and slowness, as though afraid of disturbing something. His golden robe brushed the edge of the table without making the slightest sound.

"It really is the Lovesick Heartbreak Red." Murmuring softly, he extended both hands. His fingertips hovered three inches above the immortal herb, trembling slightly, yet he dared not actually touch it, as though a single touch would make it vanish like smoke.

"Petals like rouge weeping blood, a heart like a jade soul glazed with frost... I've searched bitterly for half my life. There is no mistaking it."

He bent forward slightly, that vivid red reflected in his pale gold eyes. His earlier composure and aristocratic reserve had long since vanished, leaving only the reverence and obsession of a flower fanatic facing an unparalleled treasure.

"Truly, an immortal treasure among immortal treasures," he murmured hoarsely. "The king of flowers, the devoted lover among kings..."

You watched quietly without speaking to disturb him.

Only after a long while did Chrysanthemum Douluo slowly withdraw his hands and close his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, some clarity had returned, though traces of excitement remained impossible to conceal.

He sat down again, his movements much slower than before, as though most of his soul had still been drawn away by that flower.

Staring at the jade box, his Adam's apple bobbed ever so slightly. He raised his eyes to you, his voice lower than before and tinged with a probing note. "You brought it out... because you intend to make a trade with me?"

You smiled and, with a slight push of your fingertips, gently slid the jade box before him.

"Senior, you've spent your life in the company of the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. No one in the world can match your understanding of plants."

"This flower's requirements for acknowledging a master are exceedingly strict-only someone utterly sincere and true to their nature, thinking of their beloved and watering it with blood from their heart, can pluck it intact."

Your gaze fell on the sensitive plant as you said wistfully, "My beloved has long since departed. I fear I will never have the chance to gain its acknowledgment in this lifetime. Keeping it would only squander a heavenly treasure."

"Giving it to you today, Senior, can also be considered... finding it a good home."

Chrysanthemum Douluo's fingers suddenly tightened. He looked up sharply, his pupils abruptly widening, his pale gold eyes full of disbelief. "You intend to give it to me? You truly are willing to give it to me?"

"Of course." You composed yourself, your expression open. "For this Lovesick Heartbreak Red to come into your hands, Senior, would be for it to find its rightful place."

At those words, Chrysanthemum Douluo instead fell silent.

Having lived the better part of a lifetime, he understood better than anyone that there was no free lunch in this world. Your generosity instead left him unsure how to read you for a moment.

He lowered his eyes to the jade box, his fingertips tapping softly against the table, once, twice, in a slow, hesitant rhythm.

The room fell quiet for a time. Only the blue smoke from the incense burner continued to curl upward, hanging like a hazy veil between the two of you.

After a long while, he closed the jade box and carefully tucked it inside his robes, his movements as gentle as though he were settling a soundly sleeping rare treasure.

When he looked at you again, his voice had regained some of its usual composure, but held more sincerity than when you first met.

"Little one," he said very softly, his pale gold eyes resting on your face, "to me, this Lovesick Heartbreak Red is not merely an opportunity to break through in cultivation. It is also an obsession that those of us who follow the path of flowers can spend our entire lives pursuing without ever attaining."

He gently stroked the edge of the jade box. When he looked up again, the obsession in his eyes had settled into solemnity.

"I have never gone through life owing anyone."

"Today, you have fulfilled a long-cherished wish of mine, so I won't stand on ceremony with you. What do you want? A Soul Bone? A Soul Tool? Or a promising future? Just say the word. So long as it is within my power, I will not refuse."

Despite receiving such a promise, you showed no particular delight. You merely shook your head slightly and smiled. "Senior, immortal treasures possess spirits and choose whom they settle with."

"I've forcibly kept it beside me for so long, yet never managed to gain its acknowledgment. Since we are not destined for one another, I might as well let go. You needn't feel indebted, Senior."

Chrysanthemum Douluo was somewhat surprised. "Not just anyone can obtain a promise from me. Little one, have you truly thought this through?"

After considering for a moment, you finally spoke. "If I must make a request, I would like to follow you and study under you for a time, Senior."

"Oh?" Chrysanthemum Douluo raised his brows slightly, a hint of a smile appearing on his delicate, feminine face. "You wish to become my disciple?"

He looked you up and down, his gaze gentle. "The aura of plants upon you alone would be enough for me to accept you as my disciple."

"However, your Soul Power is condensed, and your aura is contained. You have clearly already forged your own path. I suspect you aren't seeking to become my disciple, are you?"

"You see clearly, Senior." You inclined your head slightly. "I've heard that your attainments in flowers and plants are exceedingly profound, with no one in the world able to surpass you."

"I wish to follow you for a time and learn how to identify flowers and plants, combine their medicinal properties, and perceive and use their spiritual energy."

Chrysanthemum Douluo paused slightly at that, his pale gold eyes resting on your face as though reassessing the young person before him.

"Just that?" There was undisguised surprise in his voice.

"Just that." Your expression was open.

After a brief moment's thought, Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded at once. "Very well. For the coming period, you shall stay by my side. I will teach you everything I know. How much you can learn will depend on your ability."

As he spoke, he took a pale gold token from his sleeve and handed it to you. "Tomorrow, between five and seven in the morning, bring this token to the inner city. Someone will guide you to me."

You accepted it with both hands. It felt slightly heavy.

"Thank you, Senior."

Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded slightly without saying anything more. With a sweep of his sleeve, he turned and disappeared into the night.

After he left, you sat back down on the edge of the bed and examined the token closely-

A golden chrysanthemum in full bloom was carved on its front, its layered petals like blades. The word "Elder" was engraved on the back in sharp, forceful strokes.

Your fingertips traced the token's patterns. Only when you looked up did you notice that the tea on the table had long since gone completely cold.

Outside the window, bamboo shadows swayed, and lights dotted the distant inner city like stars. You lowered your gaze. The token lay quietly in your palm, the golden chrysanthemum's pattern pressing deeply into the pads of your fingers.